8 Days – Bhutan Wedding Tour

Day 1: Arrive Paro Airport by Druk Air (Bhutan)

Flying into Paro, Bhutan is a unique experience altogether. The flight offers views of the majestic eastern Himalayas, and the arrival into a solitary runway at the country’s only airport is a mind-boggling event with the landscape and weather conditions dictating a steep descent into a narrow valley.

Paro Acclimatization & Sightseeing.

You will be received by our representative and driven to hotel for refreshment and a brief discussion about your tour program. Sightseeing includes, The National Museum (Ta-Dzong).Once the watch tower for the Rinpung Dzong(Fortress), it was converted into the national Museum in 1968 (one of the best museums of Asia). The museum stands on a promontory overlooking the Paro valley in all its glory. Visit the RinpungDzong. A flagstone path rises gradually from a beautiful wooden bridge with shingle roofing and abutted by two guard houses to the Dzong. Today, this massive fortress built in 1645 AD is the seat of the district administration as well as the home for the monastic school. The central tower (Utse) of the Dzong, with its superb woodwork, is one of the most beautiful in the nation.

Take a leisurely drive to the ruins of Drukgyel Dzong. This point offers bird eye view of the Mt. Jhomolhari (7329m). On the way back visit the oldest temple of the kingdom, Kichu lhakhang. This temple was built in 6th century by a Tibetan King to pin down a giant demon. In the evening walk around Paro town.

Overnight Paro. (Alt; 2280m)

Day 2: Thimphu-Local sightseeing

Today you drive to Thimphu following Pa Chhu downstream which is an hour drive. EnrouteTachoggang to have an experience to walk across the see through the iron bridge which dates back to mid-15th century.

Take a drive to Buddha point which offers a beautiful city view of Thimphu. Astrologers & locals believe this spot is one of the central meeting point of the sacred energy vibe of the country hence the massive statue of Buddha facing the sun. On the way down, circumambulate around the Memorial Chorten (huge stupa) built in memory of the 3^rd King of Bhutan. This is the favorite place for the locals to practice their devotions.

Later, drive to the animal sanctuary where the national animal of Bhutan, the Takin, is found in captivity. Walk around the BBS tower which is surrounded by multi coloured prayer flags, and also known as the “romantic point” and lovers often come here to look at the panoramic view of the Thimphu valley. En route visit Nunnery temple. You can show your devotion here by praying with the Buddhist nuns.

Visit the National Library where ancient manuscripts are preserved. They also have on display the largest Picture Book on Bhutan in the world.

Visit the Folk Heritage Museum where the cultural lifestyle of the ancient Bhutan has been preserved.

Visit the Traditional Medicine Centre which includes hospital and herbal medicine manufacturing unit based on the Tibetan system of medicine. The centre also trains indigenous medicine doctors known as “Dungtso”.

Visit the Tashichhoe Dzong, the main secretariat building, the office of the King and Throne room and also the house of the State Monastic Body.

Visit the Bhutanese Paper Factory, This traditional handmade paper is still being widely used around the country.

After evening tea, witness an archery match played by the locals with lots of hue & cry! Archery is the national game of Bhutan and one of the best ways of expanding your public relation is by participating in it (If it is happening while you are there).

Overnight Thimphu. (Alt; 2320m)

Day 3: Thimphu-Punakha

Punakha is the former Capital of the kingdom and at present day hosts the administrative seat of the district. Also the winter residence of the central monastic body and its Chief Abbot. The Dzong lies between two rivers, the Pochu and Mochu, male and female river. It was built in 1637 AD It was here on 17th December 1907, Bhutan’s first king was crowned.

After lunch, visit the massive Punakha Dzong “Palace of Great Happiness”.The Dzong show cases the living example of bhutanese architecture.

Evening, hike to Chimi Lhakhang. This temple is called the Temple of Fertility as it is believed that childless couples who come here to pray for a child is usually blessed with a child. This is the temple of one of Bhutan’s foremost saints, Lama Drukpa Kunley, also known as the “Divine Madman.” The trail takes you through the Himalayan paddy fields and a typical village called Lobesa.

Overnight Punakha/ Wangdue. (Alt; 1300m)

Day 4: Traditional wedding day

Today dressed in traditional outfit it is the opportunity to renew your vows and experience a local wedding ceremony featuring a number of religious rites performed by Buddhist monks and lamas representing the importance of the bond between a husband and wife. Along with the Traditional wedding and vow renewal blessing ceremonies you can also exchange rings if you wish. The ceremony will be followed by more elaborate local features such as offering of butter lamps, masked dances and folk songs etc. 

Day 5: Phobjikha Rural Expedition

On rise, after your breakfast drive to Phobjikha enroutingWangdue valley.

Phobjikha is a glacial valley on the periphery of the north western tip of the Black Mountain National Park. The valley is a conservation area and lies on the northern boundary of the Jowo Durshing range. People sometimes refer to the entire region as Gangtey after the name of the GangteyGoenpa that is situated on a ridge overlooking the Phobjikha valley. According to legend that the GangteyGoenpa was founded by the grandson (the mind incarnation) of Pema Lingpa in 1613. The Phobjikha valley is also one of the roosting grounds of the Black-necked cranes that migrate each year in winter from its northern habitats in Tibet and Siberia to these grounds.

Visit Information Centre for the Blacked Necked Cranes. Evening, take a hike through the Blue Pine forest to the village farmhouse. Try traditional Bhutanese snacks made from corn and rice with a homemade wine.

Overnight Phobjikha. (Alt; 2900m)

Day 6: Drive to Paro (135kms/ 3hrs 30 mins)

Time to retrace our steps over the Dochu la for a second view of the wonderful Himalayan range. Returning to Chunzom (river confluence) we catch a glimpse of the three shrines in Nepal,Tibetian and Bhutanese style which were built to ward of the evil spirits near the checkpoint.

Evening, visit typical village home for a traditional Bhutanese style dinner accompanied by the local liquor called “Ara” (tastes somewhat like the Japanese Sake). Then luxuriate in the Bhutanese equivalent of a Jacuzzi called a “Chu Tse.” River rocks are heated and dunked into a large wooden tub. This type of bath is considered to have medicinal properties of healing.

Overnight Paro (Alt; 2280m)

Day 7: Quest for Mystical Taktsang(Alt;3080m)

Drive to Satsam Chorten and spend the day hiking up the forested path to Taktsang Monastery, also known as Tiger’s Nest, Bhutan’s most famous and scenic icon. The climb is steep and takes about 4 hours round trip. An important place of pilgrimage and refuge for more than 1200 years, Taktsang Monastery clings to sheer cliffs two-thousand feet above Paro Valley, and from your closest vantage point on a rocky ledge directly across from it, you will still need 200-300 mm lenses and a steady tripod to get tight photographs.

This sacred place got its name when Guru Rinpoche rode there on the back of a flying tiger and meditated in a cave behind the present-day monastery. Sadly, in 1998, the central temple was destroyed by fire, leaving the country in mourning for their holiest of spiritual places. But religious leaders and the King quickly developed a plan to rebuild Taktsang and donations started pouring in from Buddhist centres all over the world, and today, the magnificently rebuilt exterior is complete. Tiger’s Nest is once again the subject of cloud-shrouded posters that say, “Bhutan, Land of the Thunder Dragon.” Picnic lunch on the hillside cafeteria.

Overnight Paro.

Day 8: Departure

Today is your last morning in this mystical and memorable country of Bhutan. We will have breakfast and proceed to airport for your onward flight. You bid a fond farewell to Bhutan for the flight back to your home. We hope you have enjoyed your trip immensely and taking back wonderful memories!